Genesis 22: Lessons from Abraham’s Willingness to Sacrifice His Son Isaac on True Faith

Introduction: Genesis Chapter 22 tells the story of God’s final and greatest test of Abraham’s faith. God’s first nine tests were designed to build up Abraham’s faith. This last test was to reveal the true faith of Abraham that Christ had perfected in him. In a foreshadow of Christ’s death at the cross, God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his only son. To the Jews, this story is called either “the Binding of Isaac” (Akedát Yitzḥák) or just “the Binding” (Akedah or Aqedah). Here, God reveals seven lessons on true faith. True faith is: (1) tested so you can trust it; (2) responsive to God’s calling; (3) submits to His will; (4) trusts in His Word; (5) obeys Him; (6) perfected through Christ’s sacrifice; and (7) rewarded by Christ in heaven and here on Earth.

First, God tested Abraham to see if his love for his son was greater than his love for God. This test (along with the prior tests) were calculated to perfect Abraham’s faith. God will also test your faith. Like Abraham, Jesus will test your faith until it is perfected. Second, Abraham promptly responded to God’s calling by taking Isaac without delay to the appointed place for the sacrifice. From this, God reveals that true faith is responsive to His calling. Third, Isaac submitted to this sacrifice by carrying the wood for the sacrifice and by not resisting. From this, God reveals that true faith submits to the will of God. Fourth, Abraham trusted God to provide a substitute sacrifice. From this, God reveals that true faith trusts in God’s Word and His promises. Fifth, when no substitute sacrifice appeared, Abraham raised his dagger with unquestioning obedience believing that God would raise Isaac from the dead. From this, God reveals that true faith is obedient, even when God’s reasons seem unclear. Sixth, just before the moment of sacrifice, the “angel of the LORD” (one of many pre-incarnate appearances of Christ) told Abraham to stop. Abraham then saw a ram trapped with its horns in a thicket. This foreshadowed the substitute sacrifice of Christ, who came to the cross with a crown of thorns. From this, God reveals that true faith is perfected through faith in Christ’s substitute sacrifice at the cross. Finally, God rewarded Abraham and all his descendants because of his faith. Through true faith in Christ, the blessings that God offered to Abraham will be extended to you as well.

1. Testing: True Faith is Tested until Perfected. Gen. 22:1-2.

2. Responsiveness: True Faith Responds to God’s Calling Without Delay. Gen. 22:3.

3. Submission: True Faith Does Not Resist God’s Calling. Gen. 22:4-6.

4. Trust: True Faith Places Complete Trust in God to Provide. Gen. 22:7-8.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669 (Abraham and Isaac)1

5. Obedience: Truth Faith Is Evidenced Through Complete Obedience. Gen. 22:9-12.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669 (The Angel Prevents the Sacrifice of Isaac)2

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610 (The Sacrifice of Isaac)3

6. Christ’s Sacrifice: True Faith is Perfected Through Christ’s Sacrifice. Gen. 22:13-14.

7. Christ’s Reward: True Faith Results in Jesus’ Blessings. Gen. 22:15-24.